Padi And Dubai

[Glenn@home]

Dear All

Well having done a little snorkelling recently, GBR and now gulf of oman I am thinking about doing some sort of diving course.

I have been using the Al boom Diving COmpany in Dubai for snorkelling and they are a PADI acrredited organisation. i hvae read many threads here before re the pros and cons of PADI versus BSAC, not sure i remember them all but basically i am thinking primarily about warm water diving not sure ill be off to the local pit when i get home.

Has anyone heard of these guys in Dubai or can recommend somone in the UAE, Dubai/Fujeirah/Ras AL Khamah areas preferably ?

Oh by the way they want around 1700 AED or 260 GBP for the open water course. I think thats what they called it and if i understand correctly this would basically allow me to dive in shallow water areas not some of the deep stuff some of you guys do whihc would suit me to start.

Any commments greatfully received

Glen

[spottydog]

Sorry I can't help with the area.

PADI are fine to learn to dive with. The main thing is the quality of the instructor and that you feel happy with him/her. PADI Open Water qualifies you to 18m in waters with conditions the same or better than you learn't in i.e. don't learn to dive in Egypt then get home and jump off a boat to dive in the UK the following week without someone instructing you.

As with all things there are pro's and cons to both PADI and BSAC but you can always change between agencies at any date (with a bit of training to ensure your level is OK). You'll see a lot of PADI/BSAC arguements in the UK diving forums but it really doesn't make a difference. I am a PADI diver but have dived with BSAC divers and we're all the same just have different bits of paper.

HTH

Anne

[Glenn@home]

Cheers Anne

Ill bear it in mind i was hoping to find somone who miught make a recommendation with respect to the company, but i think your advice is sound re the relationship with the instructors.

GLenn

[hdk]

hiii...
its a very old thread but still.. i wanted to start snorkeling, diving .. but i have just done swimming in the pool before.. would you advise on what course i must do to be able to do diving and snorkeling.......

Thanx...

[KAZ980]

Hi hdk. It's pretty much what the others have already said on this thread you have a choice of PADI or BSAC diving schools and it's really your own self preference. Here's a couple of links for you to have a read and see what you think:

http://www.padi.com/scuba/padi-courses/default.aspx

http://www.bsac.com/

I learnt to dive with PADI because the courses suited me and what I wanted out of diving, they're a world wide company therefore I could travel anywhere and still find a PADI diving club to experience the local diving with. However BSAC offer very similar courses but it does take longer for you to qualify with them , the prices differ between the 2 somewhat too.
As far as snorkelling goes both of these companies offer courses in this and although it's not as good as actually diving in my opinion it's something I do and enjoy.

[hdk]

Thx for the help :)..